In September 2009, I came to H3 beginning my recovery from food addiction. I expected to lose some weight; what I didn’t realize was how wholesome food, support, inspration and a lot of tears and laughter could transform my heart and soul.

I admire your courage. It isn’t “sexy” to say food addiction. Yet, it is running rampant and when I finally admitted my addiction to food; I felt so powerful and free! I finally had an explanation and a road to recovery was paved.

You are a perfect compliment to the fantastic staff at H3 and one day, I hope to meet you in person.

Maureen,
Thanks for your comment and I totally relate to your mention that admitting to being a food addict is freeing! I feel the same way. It takes the mystery out of the battle and clears the path for recovery. I look forward to meeting you as well!
Lisette

From LisetteMarch 23, 2012

Hi Lisette…an excellent article. I have personally pondered this term “food addiction” for some time. Especially in regard to myself and my own personal situation. Over the last year, I have come to understand that I do have food addiction tendancies. Previously, I used food to reward, console, deal with stress, pick myself up etc…of course choosing rather unhealthy options and portion sizes far larger than I needed. My struggle with weight was of my own doing…H3 helped me find that balance in my life. Taught me that I could eat healthy and still enjoy food. You are so right to call it “food addiction”. Once one comes to understand and accept it one can make the positive changes to a better lifestyle. Food may not be an addiction for everyone, however, to some of us it is…and we cannot change what we do not acknowledge. Nutrition and exercise in an appropriate balance has changed my life. H3 has taught me this. I read your posting last night and thought about it before responding…thank you for having the courage to push this topic forward and sharing your personal experiences over the last months.
Trev

From Trev WittMarch 23, 2012

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Food Addiction Recovery Has Arrived to Hilton Head Health

Hilton Head Health is a very successful business by many standards. You can’t remain in business for 35 years without offering a superior product or service. They have withstood the test of time while changing countless lives for the positive. I am thrilled to be a part of this very functional family.

However, my arrival here did not come without some hesitation and some pretty substantial scrutiny by the H3 staff. Likewise, I had to do some soul-searching to make sure the job they ultimately offered me (after a month-long, very demanding interview process) was a good fit for me. You see, they don’t let just anyone work here. They have a clear vision for how to help others enhance their health and are not derailed or distracted by health-enhancing fads or waves of popular research. The employees at H3 walk-the-walk and don’t promote the profuse number of quick-fix solutions that inundate all of us on a daily basis.

When I shared my story of recovery from food addiction during my interview process, the H3 staff responded positively to my experience but was apprehensive about my use of the term, “food addict.” Their concern with me referring to my struggle with food as an addiction, and my ultimate desire to share this label with H3 guests, was that it would create a negative stigma, or defeatist tone that might be counterproductive to the healthy lifestyle strategies they promote. It took some convincing on my part, and a lot of trust on the part of H3, to allow me to stick to my principles. I would move forward with my position as the new Director of Behavioral Health with aspirations of expanding the concept of food addiction within the H3 curriculum.

Fast forward seven months, I’m still here and the concept of food addiction has seamlessly made its way into several of my lectures. In fact, it has been enthusiastically embraced by many of our guests and has provided them with a new perspective on their struggles with weight. The dialogue has begun, and although it may only apply to a specific few, it may very well be life-transforming for those individuals. No longer do they have to look at their inability to control food as a defect in character or a complete lack of willpower, both of which produce shame and pervasive feelings of failure. Food addiction can be regarded as a flaw in the brain reward system, just like any other addiction, and can be managed quite successfully just like diabetes or heart disease. Fifty pounds lighter, six years now, and I can say with certainty that food addiction is treatable.

Now that the door has been opened, if you are interested in learning more about food addiction and its treatment, join me for an intensive three-day Food Addiction Recovery (FAR) workshop in June. Please take a look at the flyer and sample schedule for more details.